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Nitrogen Cycle What is the NITROGEN CYCLE? The atoms of nitrogen moves from the atmosphere to the soil, through plants and animals, and back into the atmosphere.

Nitrogen in the Atmosphere Most of the nitrogen on Earth is in the atmosphere. The atmosphere is a mixture of nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), and other gases (1%) that surround Earth.

Nitrogen Cycle What is the purpose of NITROGEN to our ecosystems and planet? Nitrogen is the basic building blocks for: – Nucleotides of DNA and RNA – Amino Acids in Proteins.

Nitrogen in the Atmosphere Free Nitrogen: atoms of nitrogen are found in Earth’s atmosphere bonded in pairs – N 2

Nitrogen in the Soil * N 2 is unusable to plants and animals. When the N 2 bonds are broken the nitrogen atoms are “free” to bond with other elements forming nitrogen compounds. Primary compounds are NH 3 and NH 4 This process is called Nitrogen Fixation.

NITRITES (NO 2 ) - AND NITRATES (NO 3 ) - Special bacteria can convert NH 3 and NH 4 into nitrites and nitrates. Some of this bacteria is located in the soil Some of this bacteria is located in the roots of LEGUMES Nitrogen in the Soil Examples of Legumes: Soybeans, Alfalpha, Peas, Clover, and Peanuts.

Plants LOVE Nitrates! Plants use nitrates to form proteins which promote healthy growth. Not enough nitrates can stunt growth Too much can burn plants and cause other environmental problems.

Nitrogen and Decomposers Animals and Plants die and the decaying process puts more NH 3 and NH 4 into the soil. DECOMPOSERS convert organic material into many substances including NH 3 and NH 4 Examples of DECOMPOSERS: Fungi, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria

Nitrogen in Animals and Plants Animals get the nitrogen they need by eating plants or other animals that contain nitrogen. Most plants get the nitrogen they need to grow from the soils or water in which they live.

Nitrogen in the Soil and Water Other types of bacteria are able to change nitrogen dissolved in waterways into a form that allows it to return to the atmosphere.

Human Effect on the Nitrogen Cycle Certain actions of humans are causing changes to the nitrogen cycle and the amount of nitrogen that is stored in the land, water, air, and organisms. The use of nitrogen-rich fertilizers can add too much nitrogen in nearby waterways as the fertilizer washes into streams and ponds. The waste associated with livestock farming also adds large amounts of nitrogen into soil and water. The increased nitrate levels cause plants to grow rapidly until they use up the supply and die. The number of plant-eating animals will increase when the plant supply increases and then the animals are left without any food when the plants die.changes to the nitrogen cycle

The Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen is an element. It is found in living things like plants and animals. It is also an important part of non-living things like the air above and the dirt below. Atoms of nitrogen don't just stay in one place. They move slowly between living things, dead things, the air, soil and water. These movements are called the nitrogen cycle.elementliving thingsplantsanimalsAtoms Most of the nitrogen on Earth is in the atmosphere. Approximately 80% of the molecules in Earth's atmosphere are made of two nitrogen atoms bonded together (N 2 ). All plants and animals need nitrogen to make amino acids, proteins and DNA, but the nitrogen in the atmosphere is not in a form that they can use. The molecules of nitrogen in the atmosphere can become usable for living things when they are broken apart during lightning strikes or fires, by certain types of bacteria, or by bacteria associated with bean plants.atmosphere Most plants get the nitrogen they need to grow from the soils or water in which they live. Animals get the nitrogen they need by eating plants or other animals that contain nitrogen. When organisms die, their bodies decompose bringing the nitrogen into soil on land or into ocean water. Bacteria alter the nitrogen into a form that plants are able to use. Other types of bacteria are able to change nitrogen dissolved in waterways into a form that allows it to return to the atmosphere. Certain actions of humans are causing changes to the nitrogen cycle and the amount of nitrogen that is stored in the land, water, air, and organisms. The use of nitrogen-rich fertilizers can add too much nitrogen in nearby waterways as the fertilizer washes into streams and ponds. The waste associated with livestock farming also adds large amounts of nitrogen into soil and water. The increased nitrate levels cause plants to grow rapidly until they use up the supply and die. The number of plant-eating animals will increase when the plant supply increases and then the animals are left without any food when the plants die.changes to the nitrogen cycle Last modified May 7, 2007 by Lisa Gardiner.Lisa Gardiner

Atmospheric nitrogen, N2 Lightning converts some atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates that organisms can use. Runoff Aquatic bacteria also process nitrogen. Bacteria in soil and water add nitrogen to the atmosphere. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in soil and root nodules produce ammonia, NH.